Dispensing closure cap



March 18, 1969 M. B. STULL 3,313,394

DI SPENS ING CLOSURE CAP Filed Dec. 15, 1966 Sheet 1 of 2 INVENTOR.

Movton E Sf/L111 March 18, 1969 M. B. STULL 3,433,394

DISPENSING CLOSURE GAP Filed Dec. 15. 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR.

Mov con B. tuLL 3,433,394 DISPENSING CLOSURE CAP Morton B. Stull, Boonton, NJ. Stull Engraving Co., 221-223 Banta Ave., Garfield, NJ. 07026) Filed Dec. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 602,004

U.S. Cl. 222-519 Int. Cl. B67d /06; B65d 47/00 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE C rpm-references U.S. application Ser. No. 511,593, filed Dec. 6, 1965, now Patent No. 3,319,843, by Morton B. Stull and entitled, Captive Closure Cap Construction.

U.S. Patent No. 3,216,630.

U.S. Patent No. 2,877,918.

Background This invention relates to dispensing closure caps wherein a stationary body portion holds captive a movable cap portion which has the discharge orifice.

In some prior closure caps of the type referred to, a central discharge orifice of the turnable cap portion is closed when the cap portion is screwed down or in, and is opened when the cap portion is screwed up. The closing of the central orifice is effected by a stopper plug carried by the body portion at the mouth of the latter. Such arrangement undesirably restricts the size of the discharge passage through the body portion. Also, it does not provide or spray sidewise of the container.

S ummaly The present invention obviates the above disadvantage, and objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved dispensing type captive closure cap construction wherein a relatively large discharge passage is possible without requiring an increase in overall diameter. This is accomplished by providing in the cap body portion an unobstructed central discharge passage, by providing in the cap portion one or more eccentrically disposed orifice openings, and by effecting the closure of the passage in the body portion through use of a centrally disposed plug carried by the cap portion adjacent the discharge orifice or orifice thereof.

Other objects and advantages are to provide an improved cap construction as above, wherein a small turning movement of the cap portion can result in a relatively large orifice opening; to provide a construction as outlined, wherein an adjustable or variable flow is readily had, and one that can be accurately controlled; a construction of the kind set forth, wherein a very effective seal is secured, where the seal may be a double seal, and wherein the product is kept out of contact with cooperable stops and screw thread means of the closure; a construction as above, wherein the orifice may be readily wiped clean, and wherein no excess product can accumulate in the cooperable parts; a construction as indicated, wherein the cap portion can readily function as a spreader; a construction in accordance with the foregoing, wherein accurate indications may be had as to the size of the discharge passage and rate of flow; a construction as Patented Mar. 18, 1969 above, wherein positive means are provided to insure upward axial movement of the cap in response to its being turned, wherein simple, easily molded low-cost plas tic parts are possible, wherein there is reliable operation, small size and a compact arrangement.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view partly in axial section and partly in side elevation, of a cap construction made in accordance with the invention, shown in closed condition.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the construction of FIG. 1, shown partially in section.

FIG, 3 is a view mostly in axial cross section of a closed cap, showing another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the construction of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view mostly in axial section of a closed cap, showing yet another embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the construction of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view like that of FIG. 1 but with the omission of the center stopper plug.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispensing type closure construction as illustrated therein comprises an inner tubular body portion 10 and an upper inverted cuplike cap portion 12. The body portion 10 may constitute an integral or permanent part of the top of a container. Or, it may comprise a screw cap (or other type cap) which is constituted as a separate piece, and is attached to the container either permanently or temporarily.

The body portion 10 is shown as including a base 14 which may be thought of as the top wall of a screw cap, or of a container. The body 10 has external screw threads 16- which are cooperable with internal screw threads 18 of the cap 12, and has a stepped bore 20, 22 of relatively large diameter, constituting the discharge passage of the cap construction. The bore parts 20, 22 may be essentially cylindrical, as will be understood. The upper portion of the body part 10 comprises an annular top edge portion 24 which preferably has a cylindrical exterior surface 26 for purposes to be later brought out.

It will be noted that the bore 22 of the body 10 is unobstructed, as regards any adjoining portions of the body, whereby there is had a central discharge passage of relatively large diameter and capacity.

In accordance with the present invention, the cap part 12 of the closure comprises a centrally disposed stopper plug 28 which is adapted to fit snugly within the top edge portion 24 of the body 10', said cap part being also provided with at least one eccentrically disposed top opening or orifice 30 which communicates with the space surrounding the plug 28 and which is adapted to be closed by the annular top edge portion 24 of the body 10. If the body 10 is of a contrasting color as compared with the cap, the exposed, projecting portion of the annular top 24 of the body 10 will be attention-attracting and readily visible.

Preferably the cap 12 has, inside its upper portion, an annular groove which is shown in FIG. 1 as being occupied by the annular top edge portion 24 of the body 10. The inner wall of such annular groove is constituted of the plug 28 and the outer wall of the groove is formed by a cylindrical inner surface 32 of the cap.

Referring to FIG. 2, the eccentric discharge orifice or opening 30 of the cap has opposite edges 34 and 35 in the shape of parts of circles, and also a lower edge 36 having its major portion straight and at its ends curving to meet the edges 34 and 35.

As seen in FIG. 1, the cap 12 is in the closing or sealing position, and the inside plug formation 28 thereof has closed off the bore of the body 10. Thus, no discharge of product will occur.

When the cap 12 is unscrewed, the thread means 16, 18 of the cap and body will cause the cap to shift axially upward whereupon the annular top edge portion 24 of the body will no longer be received in the eccentric orifice opening 30 of the cap. Also, the plug 28 will be withdrawn from the annular portion 24 of the body 10. In consequence, a discharge of the product may now occur, through the stepped bore 20, 22 and out through the eccentric orifice 34. The extent of unscrewing of the cap 12 will determine the extent or size of the discharge opening or orifice formed by the opening 30 of the cap and the surrounding space adjoining the plug 28.

In accordance with the invention the body and cap 12 are provided with rugged, failure-resistant stops comprising cooperable vertical ribs 38, 40 which become engaged in the manner shown in FIG. 2 when the cap is fully screwed onto the body. Also, when the cap is fully unscrewed the vertical ribs 38, 40 will again become engaged at their opposite sides. By virtue of the substantial lengths of the ribs 38, 40 it is normally not possible to force the cap past either of the two limits established thereby, representing a turning movement of slightly less than 360 The construction provided by the invention also enables a good seal to be maintained at all times between the engaging cylindrical surfaces 26 and 32 respectively of the body 10 and cap 12. Accordingly, it is not possible for the product which is being discharged to come in contact with either the stop ribs 38, 40 which are located at a level below the engaged cylindrical sealing surfaces, or the cooperable threads 16, 18 which are located at a still lower level, below the zone of action of the ribs 38, 40. This is an important feature of the invention, since it prevents undesired storage of excess product and interference with the proper functioning of the closure construction.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the plug 28 has a threaded depending portion 42 wherein the threads are progessively deeper toward the bottoms or troughs thereof. The crests of the threads are shown as in engagement with the bore 22 of the body 10, and when the cap 12 is unscrewed partially the product will flow in a helical path, in the trough formed by the screw threads, prior to being discharged from the orifice opening 30-. With such arrangement an accurate control of the rate of flow of the product is had, and the greatest flow will be had with the cap unscrewed to the maximum extent.

It will be understood that as the cap 12 is either screwed onto the body or else unscrewed therefrom, a wiping action will take place between the annular top edge 24 of the body and the adjoining portions of the cap, whereby there is minimized any likelihood of the product collecting or becoming lodged in unwanted places instead of being available for use. When the cap 12 is screwed down the full extent, the orifice Opening 30 and the exposed portion of the top edge 24 of the body 10 are accessible and may be readily wiped with a cloth, held under running water, etc., for cleaning purposes if this should be desired.

The center plug 42, while providing a desirable sealing arrangement, is not essential in producing an effective and satisfactory cap. For example, FIG. 7 shows the cap of FIG. 1 but without the plug 42. The seal of the bore 20, 22 of the body 10 is effected by the top wall of the cap 12. However, when the plug 42 is utilized there exists an inner seal as well as a tOp seal, at the upper portion of the body 10.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein there is provided an indicatortype cap construction giving an indication of the rate of flow, and wherein the cap has a plurality of eccentrically disposed orifice openings, thereby to enable a still larger discharge passage and rate of flow to be had.

The cap body 46 is also generally tubular, being carried by a base portion 48 and having an annular top edge portion 50 which is received in an annular groove 52 in the cap 54 when the latter is screwed down to the closed position shown in FIG. 3. The cap 54 has a stopper plug 56 which snugly fits the mouth of the edge portion 50 of the body portion 46 to provide an effective seal therewith. Below the plug 56 there is a depending portion 58 of tapered configuration, in the nature of a truncated cone. The cap 54 has a plurality of arcuate, eccentrically dispsed discharge orifice openings 60, 62 and 64 in its top wall, said openings being occupied by the annular edge portion 50 when the cap 54 is screwed down as in the figures.

The body 46 has an annular sealing bead 66 which engages the inner cylindrical wall 68 of the cap 54 for all positions of the latter, thereby to prevent flow of product in the area below the head 66. The body 46 has a helical screw thread 70 which is cooperable with a triangular shaped lug 72 on the interior cylindrical wall 68 of the cap, the said parts functioning as a screw thread means whereby unscrewing movement of the cap will cause it to shift axially upward, and vice versa. Also, the inside of the cap 54 has an inwardly projecting lug 74 adapted to ride on a helical track 76 at the base of the body 46, these functioning as a screw thread during the unscrewing movement of the cap 54 and constituting a positive-acting means which forces the cap 54 upward in response to the turning, unscrewing movement. The base 48 of the body 46 has a helical track 78 at the exterior of the cap 54, such track being engageable by an outwardly projecting lug 80 on the cap and serving also to insure raising axial movement of the cap in response to its unscrewing turning movement.

By virtue of the tapered shape of the portion 58 of the plug 56, the passage provided for the product becomes greater as the cap 56 is unscrewed a greater extent. In accordance with the invention, the lug 80 has a pointed portion 82, and the helical track 78 has numbers or other insignia 84 to which the pointer 82 may be referred. Accordingly, the various rotative positions of the cap 54 will correspond to the numbers 1, 2, 3, etc., and these numbers will indicate the relative sizes of opening existing between the plug portion 58 and the bore 68 of the body 46. Thus, the cap provides for an adjustable rate of flow, with indicia giving an indication as to the magnitude of the various rates, corresponding to the difierent raised positions of the cap 54.

The track 78 has a stop 88 which is engaged by the pointed portion 82 of the lug 80 when the cap 54 has been unscrewed slightly less than 360. This constitutes a positive stop, both for the downward, closed position of the cap and also for the upward, or raised, open position of the cap. Another stop for the downward closed position of the cap is constituted by the inner lug 74 engageable with an end face 90 of the track 76.

If the stop 88 is eliminated, then the fully raised position of the cap 54 can be higher than indicated by the broken outline in FIG. 3. For example, it can correspond to the broken outline 73 designating a further raised position of the triangular-shaped lug 72 on the interior of the cap. It will be understood that for such further raised position, a slight amount of interference exists between the screw thread 70 and the triangular-shaped lug 72 when in the position designated 73 whereby the thread will pick up the lug as the cap is turned to screw it downward. For all positions of the cap 54, the sealing head 66 will remain in sealing engagement with the inner cylindrical wall 68 of the cap, preventing product from reaching the screw thread means, and from reaching the helical track within the cap 54.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. This embodiment is in many respects similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4, and accordingly only the differences will be described in detail. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the cap 92 has a pointer 94 which does not ride on a helical track as with the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, but instead functions merely as a reference in connection with raised numbers 96 provided on the base portion 98 of the body 100.

A sealing bead 102 of rounded configuration is provided on the body 100, for cooperation with the inner cylindrical surface 104 of the cap 92 to prevent contamination of the screw thread means and inner helical track of the construction.

As seen in FIG. 6, but a single discharge orifice opening 106 is provided, being normally occupied by the upper annular top edge portion 108 of the body 100 when the cap is screwed down. Also, the top surface 110' of the cap is planar and extends transversely, making an acute angle (indicated at X) with respect to the axis of the cap.

The sealing plug '112 has a depending portion 114 which is of stepped configuration, having a progressively smaller size toward the bottom end. The cap 92 has an interior lug 116 constituting a thread element and also a stop.

The configuration of the plug portion 114 provides for incremental increases in the size of the discharge passage, as the cap 92 is unscrewed. The interior lug 116 constitutes a stop, being engageable with an .end face 118 of the helical track 120 at the base of the body 100, and being engageable with a face 122 of a stop lug 124 whereby.the possible turning of the cap can be restricted to slightly less than 360. However, the stop lug 124 can be omitted, whereupon a further raising of the cap 92 is possible, to a position higher than the broken line position shown in FIG. 5. For this higher position the triangular-shaped lug 126 occupies the upper broken line position indicated by the numeral 128.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved dispensing type captive closure cap construction wherein a relatively large discharge passage is possible without requiring an increase in overall diameter. With the cap construction as shown, a relatively small turning movement of the cap part can result in a relatively large orifice opening, depending on the shape given to the stopper plug which enters the bore of the cap body portion. The closure provides for an adjustable flow, and provides indicia means for indicating the degree of opening of the discharge passage. A very effective seal is had, and the product is kept out of contact with the cooperable stops and thread means of the closure. The orifice may be readily wiped clean, and no excess product can accumulate in the cooperable parts. With the construction of FIGS. 5 and 6, the cap portion can readily function as a spreader. Positive means are provided to insure upward axial movement of the cap in response to its being turned. The cooperable parts are easily molded of plastic substance, and are low in cost. The operation of the cap is reliable at all times, and the cap is seen to be of relatively small size, and compact arrangement.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A dispensing closure cap for liquids, comprising in combination:

(a) an upright tubular body adapted to be carried on a container, the bore of said body constituting a discharge passage for product to be dispensed from the container,

(b) said body having an annular portion projecting upwardly to a top edge,

(c) a cap having a top and sides'depending therefrom,

said cap being axially movable on said body and surrounding the same, wherein the improvement comprises:

(d) said cap having an eccentrically disposed discharge opening in its top, communicating with space inside portions of the cap,

(e) portions of the annular top edge portion of the body projecting through said discharge opening in the top of the cap when the latter is in its lowered, sealing position, thereby to shut off flow through the opening,

(f) said space within portions of the cap and said discharge opening of the cap constituting a discharge conduit from which the product which is being dispensed issues after leaving the bore of the body, at such times that the cap is in the raised, nonsealing position,

(g) said tubular body and cap having cooperable annular mutually engaging sealing means including surfaces at least one of which is substantially cylindrical, said means being disposed below the said portions of the annular top edge portion of the body for blocking liquid product which is being dispensed to prevent it from lodging between lower portions of the tubular body and cap and interfering with the operation of the cap, and

(h) cooperable stop means on said tubular body and cap to limit turning, of the latter, said cooperable stop means being disposed below said sealing surfaces and being protected thereby against contamination by the liquid being dispensed.

2. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said cap has an additional, eccentrically disposed discharge opening in its top, communicating with space within portions of the cap and constituting therewith an additional discharge orifice.

3. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the top surface of the cap extends transversely and makes an acute angle with respect to the axis of the cap.

4. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said body and cap have cooperable limit stops limiting the cap turning to less than 360, and

(b) cooperable indicia means on the body and cap for indicating the rotative position of the latter on the body and the extent of opening of said discharge orifice.

5. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the cap has a stopper plug Within it, engageable with and scalable against the interior of said annular top edge portion of the body at a location above said cooperable sealing surfaces when the cap is axially shifted downward on and toward the body,

(b) said plug separating from the top edge portion of the body when the cap is shifted away therefrom.

6. A cap as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) the plug includes a threaded depending portion wherein the threads are progressively deeper toward the bottom end 7. A cap as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) said cap has an annular internal groove,

(b) said plug constituting the inner surface of the groove,

(c) said cylindrical sealing surface constituting the outer wall of the groove.

:8. A dispensing closure cap comprising, in combination:

(a) an upright tubular body adapted to be carried on a container, the bore of said body constituting a discharge passage for product to be dispensed from the container,

(b) a cap axially movable on said body and surrounding the same,

(c) screw thread means on the body and cap, for unscrewing the latter as it is turned on the body, wherein the improvement comprises:

(d) two vertically extending cooperable ribs, disposed respectively on the interior of the cap and exterior of the body at a level above the thread means,

(e) said ribs engaging each other broadside and constituting stops limiting the turning of the cap on the body to slightly less than one revolution,

(f) said cap and body having engaging cylindrical sealing surfaces disposed at a level immediately above said cooperable ribs,

(g) said body having a product discharge bore provided with a mouth which is disposed above said sealing surfaces,

(h) said sealing surfaces preventing the discharging product from coming in contact with said stop ribs and thread means.

9. A dispensing closure cap for liquids, comprising, in

combination:

(a) an upright tubular body adapted to be carried on a container, the bore of said body constituting a discharge passage for product to be dispensed from the container,

(b) a cap axially movable on said body and surrounding the same,

(c) screw thread means on the body and cap, for unscrewing the latter as it is turned on the body, where in the improvement comprises:

(d) said cap having :1 lug on its bottom portion,

(c) said body having an external helical track on which said lug rides to assist the thread means in effecting raising axial movement of the cap as it is being unscrewed,

(f) said thread means continuing to raise the cap after the lug has traversed the uppermost end of said track.

10. A dispensing closure cap comprising, in combination:

(a) an upright tubular body adapted to be carried on a container, the bore of said body constituting a discharge passage for product to be dispensed from the container,

(b) said body having an annular top edge portion, (c) a cap axially movable on said body and surrounding the same, wherein the improvement comprises: (d) said cap having an eccentrically disposed discharge opening in its top, communicating with space inside portions of the cap,

(e) portions of the annular top edge portion of the body projecting through the discharge opening in the top of the cap when the latter is in its lowered, sealing position, thereby to shut off flow through the opening,

(f) said space within portions of the cap and said discharge opening of the cap constituting a discharge orifice from which the product which is being dispensed issues after leaving the bore of the body, at such times that the cap is in the raised, nonsealed position,

( g) said body and cap having cooperable limit stops limiting the cap turning to less than 360, and

(h) cooperable indicia means on the body and cap for indicating the rotative position of the latter on the body and the extent of opening of said discharge orifice,

(i) said indicia means comprising a lug on the exterior of the cap,

(3') said body having a helical track on which said lug rides to effect raising axial movement of the cap as it is being unscrewed,

(1:) said track having numbers comprising said indicia means, to which the lug may be referred.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,914,221 6/1933 Stewart 222-553 1,935,100 11/1933 Paull et al. 222--546 1,977,537 10/ 1934 Warmuth 222-546 X 2,165,825 7/1939 Von Bultzingslowen 222546 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,310,724 10/ 1962 'France.

317,198 7/ 1929 Great Britain.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

H. S. LANE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. XJR. 222--546 

